Clos Saint-Jean Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Combe des Fous 2020 1.5L

97 points Peter Moser (Falstaff): "Deep ruby garnet in colour with purple reflections and a broad and bright ochre rim. On the nose, a multi-faceted bouquet of candied orange zest, ripe cherry, some nougat and leather. The palate is juicy with red berry fruit, fine sweetness, and ripe supporting tannins, mineral and long with a hint of nougat on the finish. A substantial food wine with ageing potential. (4/20/23)"

96.5 points CellarTracker.com community score.

96 points Jeb Dunnuck: "In contrast to the bigger, richer Deus-Ex Machina, the 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape La Combe Des Fous is all about finesse and elegance, probably due to the inclusion of Cinsault and Vaccarese in the blend. Deeper ruby/purple-hued, it has an exotic perfume of both red and blue fruits, smoked game, spring flowers, and peppery herbs. Slightly darker fruited than past vintages were at this stage, it's medium to full-bodied on the palate, has gorgeous tannins, a layered, seamless mouthfeel, and a great finish. This beauty already offers incredible pleasure yet will evolve gracefully over the coming 15-20 years. The blend is 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, and the rest Vaccarese and Cinsault, brought up mostly tank. Drink: 2022-2042. (11/11/22)"

96 points Wine Spectator: "[$176/750ml list] Pumps out heady raspberry, mulberry and blackberry compote notes that keep form and direction, thanks to a roasted apple wood spine and flanking ganache, garrigue and warm earth notes. Seriously grippy finish. Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault and Vaccarèse. Best from 2025 through 2040. 43 cases imported. (11/2/22)"

****(*) John Livingstone-Learmonth (DrinkRhone.com): "(from La Crau, 60% 1905 Grenache (La Crau, E, sandy, so fine tannins, planted by great grandfather Edmond, a tailor at Châteauneuf-du-Pape), 20% Syrah (1970s, La Crau (E) & Bois de la Vieille (S-W), 10% Cinsault (1984s, La Crau, E), 10% Vaccarèse (1940s, St Jean, S-E), destemmed, vat-emptying, part refilling, cap punching on Syrah, 35-38 day vinification, aged 60% concrete vat (Grenache), 40% new-1 year 228-litre oak casks (Syrah), used 228-litre oak casks (Cinsault/Vaccarèse) 12-15 months, unfined, unfiltered, first year 2003, 6,000 b). Very full robe, shiny. The nose is amply filled, on licorice, profound Morello cherry, a suave tone of violets. The palate serves a broad wave of blackberry, cassis fruit, is dense but keeps moving, gathers extra depth into the close, the finish very padded, couched. There is no sense of excess power - it purrs along, is a real ground wine with some aromatic airborne silk. There is a tone of black olives on the aftertaste. “It’s very spherical,” Vincent Maurel. Bottled 21 April 2022. From 2026-27. 2047-49 May 2022."